Four Villanova players seek spots on US National team for 2014 FIL World Championships

Four Villanova Men’s Lacrosse standouts will get the chance to compete for a spot on Team USA this weekend as the process begins for selecting the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse USA World Championship team that will compete in Denver, Colo. July 10-14th.

Current senior John LoCascio, 2013 graduate Jack Rice, 2012 graduate Kevin Cunningham and 2011 graduate Brian Karalunas will compete with 88 of their peers during the three-day tryout process as USA team coaches evaluate the best players in the nation for a spot on the national squad.

“It’s obviously a great honor,” says LoCascio. “It’s great that we have three alumni and one current player getting the chance to tryout. Having four guys asked to tryout in one year is great. It’s definitely playing amongst the best players in the world. I have nothing to lose, it’s the highest platform I’ve ever played on and it’s great to have the opportunity.”

Forty players will emerge from the roster cut following the weekend at Goucher College in Towson, Md. and will begin preparation for the Championship. 23 athletes and two alternates will be selected for the final team which will compete next summer in the quarterly games.

Head Coach Mike Corrado states, “It’s an example of the growth of the program and it’s a credit to those guys. It’s a testament to Villanova Lacrosse getting better and better. I’m really proud of them, there’s not much more significant than putting on a Team USA jersey and getting an opportunity to compete for your country.”

The initial world championship began in 1967 as a four-team invitational and has grown every year since. The U.S. has captured nine championships, including the most recent event in 2010 hosted in Manchester, England. Canada has captured two championships throughout the history of the event with their most recent win coming in 2006 in London, Ontario.

“It’s an honor to compete for the chance to put on a team USA jersey,” said Karalunas. “I’m especially excited to play amongst three of my former teammates. It speaks volumes about the growth of the program. It should be a really fun weekend with a lot of excellent lacrosse.”